Target device



Sept. 22, 1959 H. A. TAYLOR TARGET DEVICE Filed Sept. 19, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. .Hn AED A. f it L019,

Sept. 22, 1959 H. A. TAYLOR 2,905,469

- TARGET DEVICE Filed Sept. 19, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 will [N V EN TOR. Jqa w ep .14. fly Lara k .HZQE/S, Mac-m Israe (55659213 United States Patent TARGETD'EVICE Howard A. Taylor, 'Los Angeles, can't. Application September 19, -1955, seria1-Ne. 534,914 "z tcla'ims. or. 273-1055) My invention relates to target devices and, more particularly, to devices which can display a plurality of targets in sequence. It will be specifically illustrated with reference to a device for automatically presenting a new target in a projectile path when the previously-displayed target unit has been removed by a projectile, such as a bullet. v

There a -distinct need for a compact and inexpensive target device capable of displaying tar-gets sequentially in a projectile .path, particularly where the sequential presentation is automatic so as to eliminate the danger to a target-changing attendant. Previous devices of this nature have been complex and unreliable and those desiting to secure proficiency in shooting bullets or other projectiles have heretofore been required to aim at hotties, tin or large paper targets requiring special supports. 7 i

It is an object of the present invention to provide a target device which is very simple in operation and which will present targets sequentially to a projectile path in automatic fashion. A further object is to provide a target device which displays a particular target until it is properly hit by a projectile, whereupon this target is removed and the next target of a series is displayed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a target device having a wheel structure carrying target-holding means each adapted to frictionally grip a base portion of a target unit. A further object of the invention is to provide a latch means controlling the turning of sucha wheel structure when the displayed target is properly hit by a projectile. Stilla further object is to provide a plurality of target-holding clamping units, each adapted to hold a target unit, together with means for moving these clamping units in such way as to display the targets in sequence. 7

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a latch means which includes a stop member engaged by a portion of the target unit to determine the display position of the latter. It is an object of the invention to provide such a structure; also to provide a mechanism by which a new target unit is displayed when a preceding one is displaced from its clamping unit by percussive contact with a projectile.

Further objects of the invention lie in the provision of a targe t device which coacts uniquely with the target units. Thus, it is an object of the invention in one of its embodiments to provide a target-display device which will not remove the target from the projectile path unless a bulls-eye is scored or unless the target is hit in a predetermined zone. It is a further object of the invention to provide a target device useful in competirtive matches to score the relative accuracies of projectiles hitting the target.

Other objects of the invention reside in the particular target structures herein disclosed. For example, it an object of the invention to provide a target in which the butlseye or the aforesaid predetermined zone is ICE 2 y 1 less readily penetrable byv a projectile than the :surrounding or adjacent lesser-scoring zones. A further object is to provide a target unit which accommodates a shatterable disc, supported exclusively by an edge portio-n. e

Further objeots'and advantages of the 'irivention wil l be evident to those skilled in the from "the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings: e

Fig. l'is a side elevation'al view of on'e'fembodiment of the invention, showing a target unit in display position;

Fig. 2 is a portion of the target unit shown in Fig. 1', taken alongthe line 22 thereof; Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the ei'ribodiment of Fig. 1; 7 v r Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line of Fig. 3; 4 i p i Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective View of a crew members of the invention; t

Fig. 6 is a side elevationalview of alternative Einbodiment of the invention; H I

Fig. 7 is a View of 'a portion of the targetdevice of Fig. 6, taken along the line 7-7 thereof; and

Fig. 8 is a view taken along the line 8- 8 of Fig;

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, 'I have chosen to exemplify the invention as a target device It) adapted to be connected by and adjustableclamping deviceto a post 11 or other support. The 'proj'ectilepath is indicated by the numeral 12 (Fig. 1) and may be the path ofany suitable projectile, such as a bullet 13, moving toward a target unit 15 held in display position by the t getda 10. This target device is adapted o be initially pages with a plurality of the target units 15 and to present these in sequence to the projectile path '12 as the pieceding unit of the series is shot away in a manner suggested by the displaced target unlit shown by dotted lines 16, The target device 10 can be permanently connected to the post 11 or 'o-ther'support'ing member through a bulletproof plate 17, the mechanism being mounted back of plate. However, it is often desirable to have a, readily portable device that can be attached to any fencepost or other similar support. In this connection the, illu's trated adjustable clamp-ing means, Figs. 1 and 8, includes a coil spring 18 having one end secured to the platei7 by a screw 18a, the spring being tensioned around the post 11 with its free end 18b held adjustably in a notch of the plate 17 by a sliding lock member 19. This lock member is angular with one leg slidable along of the plate 17 as permitted by screws 19a ex; through elongated slots 19b of this leg. The otherleg comprises a blade 19c providing an angled edge which can be forced between selected coils of the spring 18 to lock same about the post in tensioned relationship. A handle 19d facilitates locking and unlocking of the spring.

The target stnlcture 10 includes a supporting structure 20 including a plate 21 attached by screws 22 to the plate 17. The supporting structure 20 also includes a pair ,of arms 23 extending in a direction parallel to the projectile path12. Y

A' wheel structure 25 is pivoted to the supporting structure. In the preferred embodiment, the wheel structure is pivoted about an axis substantially perpendicular to, the projectile path. As shown, a stationary shaft 26" is suitably mounted in the ends of the arms 23, the wheel structure 25 being pivoted thereto in the space between the arms.

The wheel structure 25 is shown as including flanges 28 having aligned central openings 29 journalled on the shaft 26. The flanges are spaced to define a target space 30 (Fig. 4)' and are interconnected to .turn' in unison-Z A plurality of pins 32 serve this latter purpose and provideends extending into corresponding aligned openings 7 of the flanges 28. The result is a cage-like wheel structure having pins 32 corresponding in number to the target units to be supported.

A corresponding plurality of target-holding means, shown as clamping units 35, are spaced around the periphery of the wheel structure 25, being preferably pivoted respectively to swing or hinge about the pins 32,

the latter serving as a hinge means and providing a plurality of hinge axes parallel to the axis of the shaft 26. Each clamping unit 35 includes means for holding a target unit in a'position facing and extending into the projectile paths.

The structure of an exemplary clamping unit is best shown in Figs.3 and as including jaw members 37 and 38 having target-gripping surfaces 39 and 48 facing each other and preferably extending in the same general direction as the axis of the shaft 26. The jaw member 37 may be a cast, machined or molded part having an opening 41 receiving one of the pins 32. It is often desirable to provide shoulders 42 on opposite sides of the target-gripping surface 39 whereby the latter forms the bottom "of a target unit holding channel of a width to receive the base portion of one of the target units 15. The jaw member 37 provides arms 43 extending from the shoulders 42 and providing therebetween a space 44 in which the jaw member 38 may pivot. A pin 45 (Fig. 3) extends through aligned openings 46 and 47 of the two jaw members.

A jaw-biasing means is provided to urge the targetgripping surfaces 39 and 40 toward each other and into frictional contact with a base portion 48 of a target unit 15. This jaw-biasing means is preferably a spring 50, best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, providing two or more turns encircling the corresponding pin 45 in a space 52 of the jaw member 38. The ends of the spring 50 are biased toward each other, one end extending into an opening or channel 53 of the jaw member 38 and the other end extending into a channel 54 of the jaw member 37 (Fig. 3). The result is that the jaw members 37 and 38 are urged resiliently toward each other and in clamping relationship with the base portion 48 of a target unit disposed between the target gripping surfaces 39 and 40.

The shoulders 42 are spaced to receive such base portion, whereby the target unit is held in a plane substantially perpendicular to the flanges 28 of the wheel structure 25. It will be noted that a curved outer portion 55 of the target-gripping surface falls smoothly away from the active portion of this surface. This has been found to facilitate release of the target unit when properly hit by the projectile and to facilitate guiding the base portion of the target unit between the target-gripping surfaces 39 and 40 when the device is being loaded with target units.

Each pair of jaw members for each clamping unit, with the connected target unit, is preferably free to hinge about its particular pin 32 except when approaching the display position. From Figs. 1 and 3 it will be observed that each of the target units A, B and C hangs naturally; that the target F is in an upright or displayed position; and that the targets D and E, approaching the display position, are being swung outwardly. To accomplish this result, the invention includes a cam means for swinging each clamping unit on its hinge axis in response to turning of the wheel structure 25. This cam means includes a cam .60 clamped stationarily to the shaft 26 as by a screw 61 (Fig. 4), this cam providing an outwardly-facing cam surface 63 engageable by some portion of each clamping unit, typically the spring 50 thereof although the invention is not thus limited. The cam surface 63 provides a shallow portion 64 and a crest portion 65 (Fig. 3). As the wheel structure 25 turns in the direction of the arrow 66, the clamping units and the associated target units are swung successively through target positions D, E and F of Figs. 1 and 3. This is accomplished as the spring of each clamping unit rides from the shallow portion 64 up a relatively steep slope to the crest 65, this slope swinging the target unit rapidly into the projectile path 12 as the display position is approached.

The invention preferably provides a bias means for applying a rotational bias to the wheel structure 25 in the direction of the arrow 66. This bias means is shown in Figs. 1-4 as a spiral spring 68 having its inner end enchored in a slot 69 of the shaft 26 (Fig. 4) and having its outer end anchored to a screw 70 (Fig. 3) threaded into one of the flanges 28.

The invention also includes a latch means releasing the wheel structure for movement by the bias means upon striking of the displayed target by a projectile. This latch means preferably includes a stop member 71 in the path of travel of the leading target unit and engageable with a stop-contacting portion 72 thereof to determine its display position. Percussive contact between a projectile and the leading target unit disengages the stop member and the stop-contacting portion 72 of such target unit. Such disengagement occurs in the embodiment of Figs. 1-4 when the target unit in position F is contacted by the projectile 13 with sufiicient force to remove it from the corresponding clamping unit, as suggested by the dotted lines 16 of Fig. 1. When this occurs, the spring 68 turns the wheel structure 25 in the direction of the arrow 66. The cam surface 63 rapidly raises the target unit E to extend into the projectile path 12, the display position being determined by engagement of the target unit with the stop member 71. It will thus be seen that the stop member 71 disengages the stop-contacting portion 72 only when the target unit is pulled from the jaws by a direct hit between projectile and target. It will also be apparent that each clamping unit and each target unit are successively moved from a retracted-target position in which the target unit is retracted from the projectile path 12 into an extended-target position in which the target unit is extended into the projectile path.

If the target unit is constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, unique relationships between the target and the target display means will be present. This target unit is shown as including a tongue portion including at one end the base portion 48, previously described, followed by an intermediate portion, here including the stop-contacting portion 72 and providing a target-supporting means at its other end. In this specific form, the targetsupporting means is shown as a disc 73 to which is adhered a target 74 of larger size. The base portion 48, the intermediate portion and the disc 73 are preferably stamped from sheet stock. Cardboard will be found very satisfactory but plastic material, wood or metal can be used if desired. With the target unit of Figs. 1 and 2, the sheet stock is such that if the projectile hits the disc 73 or any exposed intermediate portion of the target unit, the entire target unit will be pulled from its clamping unit and a new target will be automatically presented, thus indicating the accuracy of the shot. In this connection, it is preferable that the disc 73 be of a diameter approximately the same as the bulls-eye of the target 74. On the other hand, it is often desirable to be able to compare the accuracy of other shots not entering the bulls-eye. For this reason, the peripheral portions of the target 74 extending beyond the disc 73 are made of a material pervious to the projectile so as to be penetrable by the projectile, leaving a hole but not impacting the target unit with suflicient force to withdraw it from is clamping unit. To accomplish this result, the peripheral portion of the target 74 may be made of thinner or more easily penetrable sheet stock than the body of the target unit, particularly the disc 73 thereof.

The embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 utilizes a modified a g t unit providing, as before, a tongue portion having a grippable base pgrtion at one end, an intermediate portion :81,and a target supporting :means 82 at the other end. This target supporting means'includes a'clip having a passage 83 facing away :from the base portion 80 and bounded by resilient walls 84 which frictionally grip an edge portion of a shatterable targetdisc 85 positioned to be displayed in the projectile path 12. The disc 85 may be any inexpensive disc formed of ceramic material, plastic material, or any other brittle material. Even brittle-candy wafers packaged in a single or a multitude of colors and readily available at'most candy counters, can be used very satisfactorily. Any such brittle material will shatter when being hit by the projectile 13, as suggested by dotted lines 86 of Fig. '6. Any residual-edge portion remaining-in the passage '83 of the target-supporting means 82 can be easily displaced therefrom when new discs 8'5 are loaded into the device.

With discs 85 made of shatterable material, the main portion of the target unit will not be displaced from the corresponding clamping unit unless the target-supporting means 82 should itself be hit by the projectile. This targetsupporting means is usually extended a small distance above the plate 17 to lie in the projectile path 12. Should it be thus hit, the body portion of a targetunit will also be displaced from its clamping unit. Being an inexpensive element, it can be readily replaced when the target device is reloaded with the-discs S5.

It should also be apparent that the discs 85 can also be made of non-shatterable material. Thus, cardboard discs can be employed, if desired, in which case percussive contact with the projectile 13 will displace the disc from the supporting clip. Such percussive contact may or may not remove the base portion 80 of the target unit from its clamping unit.

In the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, the stop-contacting portion of the target unit is on the disc 85. In this connection, a stop member 90, formed, of spring wire or other very resilient material, provides an end extending into the projectile path and engageable with the disc 85. If hit by a projectile, such a stop member is not severed and any bending thereof can be easily straightened. When the disc 85 shatters, the wheel structure 25 advances to present the next disc, engagement between the stop member '90 and the new disc determining the display position of the latter. In this embodiment or the target device, the arms 23 may be extended in length sufficient to permit the body portion of a target unit to swing downwardly therebetween when the disc 85 is shattered.

The embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 also employs a modified bias means, substituting forthe spring 68. A spoollike element 95 has a portion journalling in an enlarged opening of the corresponding arm 23 and connected to one of the flanges 28. This spool-like element 95. carries a pulley 96 at a position outside the arm 23. Wrapped around the pulley one or more times is a flexible member such as a string 98 having its end connected to the pulley as by a screw 99. A weight 100 tensions the depending portion of the string 98 and biases the wheel structure 25 to move in the direction of the, arrow 66. A similar bias means can be substituted for the spring 68. of Figs. 1-4 or other bias means can be employed.

It will be apparent that the target device of the invention is readily portable and can be set up at any convenient position. It involves no complicated mechanical movements and can be used for target practice without the services of an assistant, merely by loading the device With the target units and stepping back to an aiming position from which the projectiles are propelled along the projectile path 12. While the invention has been exemplified as holding six target units, and while this has been found to be entirely satisfactory in practice, it will be readily apparent that a larger or smaller number of. target units can be displayed following a single loading of thetarget device. Various changes and modifications can he made without departing frofii the'spif'it of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A target device adapted to display aseries'of target units successively .in a projectile path, said device including: a supporting structure; and means forrdisplaying said target units sequentially in said path, said means including a wheel structure, means for pivoting'said wheel structure to said supporting structure about a horizontal axis substantially at right angles to and displaced vertically below said projectile path, a plurality of clamping units positioned peripherally of said wheel structure each including means for releasably holding one of said target units in a display position facing said projectile path, bias means 'for applying a rotational bias to said wheel structure in a manner to move the upper portion of said wheel structure counter to the projectile direction, and an arm in the pathof travel of -said target units having a stop surface facing in said projectile direction -to-eiigage the leading target unit to hold same 'in'said display position :until such target unit is, owing to a percussive impact of a projectile, shot away from its clamping unit and away from the locale of said arm, thereby releasing said wheel'structure for movement by said bias means to bring a succeeding target unit into engagement with said stop surface of said arm.

2. A target device as defined in claim 1 in which each clamping unit includes two jaw members respectively providing target-gripping surfaces facing each other and disposed transverse to said projectile direction, one of said jaw members trailing the other as said upper portion of said wheel structure moves in said direction counter to the projectile direction, such trailing -jaw member having a curved surface falling smoothly away from the target-gripping surface of the other jaw member to facilitate release of said target unit, andjawbiasing means urging said target-gripping surfaces toward each other to clamp therebetwcen a base portion of one of said target units.

3. A target device as" defined in claim 1, in which each clamping unit includes two jaw members providing target-gripping surfaces facing each other in a plane parallel to the :axis of rotation of said wheel structure, said plane being transverse to said projectile direction when the corresponding target unit is in said display position. v

4. A target device as defined in claim 3, including means for pivoting said clamping units individually to said wheel structure about respective axes parallel to the rotational axis of said wheel structure.

5. A target device as defined in claim 3, including means for pivoting said clamping units to said wheel structure about respective pivot axes, and including cam means comprising a stationary cam on said supporting structure and a plurality of cam followers respectively on said clamping units for swinging each clamping unit on its pivot axis in response to a turning of said wheel structure to swing from a retracted-target position to an arm-engaging extended-target position in which a target unit held by said gripping surfaces is respectively retracted from and extended into said projectile path, said cam means being positioned about the axis of said wheel structure. I

6. A target device adapted to display a plurality of target units sequentially in a projectile path, said device including: a supporting structure having a horizontal axis transverse to but below said projectile path; a wheel structure pivoted to turn about said axis, said wheel structure providing circular flanges concentric with and spaced from each other along said axis and having, therebetween' a target space; target-holding means in said target space for holding a target unit in display position with a target portion in said projectile path; means; for biasing saidwheel structure to turn aboutsaid and means engaging a portion of said target unitwhem in said display position to restrain turning of said wheel structure by action of said biasing means.

7. A target device adapted to display a plurality of target units sequentially in a projectile path, said device including: a wheel structure having a corresponding plurality of peripheral positions; means for mounting said wheel structure to turn about a main axis transverse to the projectile path; a corresponding plurality of clamping units each providing relatively movable jaws adapted to grip frictionally a base portion of one of said target units; meansfor hinging said clamping units to said wheel structure respectively at said peripheral positions to turn individually about respective hinge axes disposed parallel to but spaced from said main axis; and stationary cam means engaging a portion of each clamping unit for turn-ing same about its hinge axis upon nearing a target-display position to swing its target rapidly into said projectile path from a retracted-target position to an extended-target position.

8. A target device as defined in claim 7 in which said portion of each clamping unit comprises a spring biasing said relatively movable jaws toward each other.

9. A target device adapted to display a plurality of target units sequentially in a display position in a projectile path and adapted to display a succeeding target unit when a previous target unit in the display position has been shot away by a projectile, said target device including: a supporting structure comprising a pair of horizontally spaced members; a Wheel structure and means for pivoting same to rotate between said spaced members about a horizontal axis, said wheel structure providing horizontally spaced flanges having a peripheral space therebetween; a plurality of pivot means at peripherally spaced positions around said flanges; a plurality of clamping units in said space respectively pivoted on said pivot means to turn about axes parallel to the axis of rotation of said wheel structure, each clamping unit including a first jaw member hinged to one of said pivot means and a second jaw member movable relative to said first jaw member, said jaw members providing surfaces releasably gripping a target unit with sufficiently light pressure to release same upon percussive contact of said projectile therewith; cam means engaging said clamping units as they near said display position to swing them about their respective pivot means until the target unit carried thereby is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of said wheel structure; and means for stopping said Wheel structure at a plurality of successive positions displaying successive target units in said display position, said last named means including means for stopping a succeeding target unit in said display position upon shooting away of a preceding one by percussive engagement with said projectile. 1

10. A target device adapted to display a plurality of target units sequentially in a display position in a projectile path until shot away by a projectile, each target unit including a tongue portion having a grippable base portion at one end thereof, said device including: a wheel structure providing spaced parallel flanges defining therebetween an annular space; a plurality of clamping units in said space each including a first jaw member hinged to turn in said space about an axis transverse to said flanges, a second jaw member hinged to said first jaw member, one of said jaw members providing outwardly extending shoulders bounding an outwardly extending channel of a width to receive said tongue of said target unit, the other of said jaw members providing a surface facing said channel and pressing against the tongue of the target unit disposed therein, and means for biasing said jaw members against said tongue to hold said target unit releasably therebetween; means for turning said wheel to move one of said target units to a display position until shot away by a projectile; and means for then advancing a succeeding target unit to said display position.

11. A target device adapted to display a plurality of target units sequentially in a display position in a projectile path and adapted to display a succeeding target unit when a previous target unit in the display position has been shot away by a projectile, said target device including: a wheel structure providing an upright flange means defining a peripheral space; means for mounting said Wheel structure to turn about a horizontal axis spaced vertically away from the projectile path; a plurality of clamping units disposed around said space, each clamping unit having first and second jaw members having facing target-contacting surfaces generally parallel to said horizontal axis and substantially transverse to but spaced from said projectile path, each clamping until including means for resiliently moving such surfaces of the jaw members thereof toward each other into releasable contact with a target unit; and means for moving a target unit to said display position upon shooting away of a preceding target unit from its corresponding clamping unit.

12. A target device as defined in claim 11 in which the first and second jaw members of each clamping member are hinged together about a hinge axis parallel to said horizontal axis and including spring means for resiliently moving said surfaces thereof toward each other, said target device including means for pivoting each clamping unit to swing in said space about an axis substantially parallel to but spaced from both said horizontal axis and the hinge axis of said jaw members of such clamping unit.

13. A target device adapted to display a series of target units successively in a projectile path, said device including: a supporting structure; and means for displaying said target units successively in said path, said means including a wheel structure, means for pivoting said wheel structure to said supporting structure about a horizontal axis substantially at right angles to and dis placed vertically from said projectile path, a plurality of clamping units positioned peripherally of said wheel structure each including means for releasably holding one of said target units in a display position facing said projectile path, bias means for applying a rotational bias to said wheel structure, and latch means comprising an arm in the path of travel of said target units and engaging each releasable target unit to hold same in said display position until such target unit is shot away from the locale of said arm thereby releasing said Wheel structure for movement by said bias means to bring a succeeding target unit into engagement with said arm of said latch means.

14. A target device adapted to display in a projectile path a target unit having a base portion and a stop-engaging portion, said device including: a pair of targetholding jaws hinged together about a horizontal hinge axis and having target-gripping surfaces engaging in a plane tangential to a circle drawn about said hinge axis; spring means resiliently urging said target-gripping surfaces toward each other, said surfaces releasably hold ing said base portion of said target unit; means for moving said jaws and the target unit held thereby about a horizontal axis parallel to said hinge axis to advance said target unit from a retracted-target position into an extended-target position in the projectile path, said movement taking place in a direction opposite to the projectile direction as said target unit nears said extended-target position, said last-named means tending to move said jaws beyond said extended-target position; and a stop member having a stop surface facing in the projectile direction in the path of movement of said stop-engaging portion of said target unit for stopping the movement thereof at said extended-target position.

15. A target device as defined in claim 14 in which said target-gripping surfaces hold said base portion of said target unit exclusively by frictional engagement between opposed faces of said base portion and said targetnun:

9. gripping surfaces, said stop member being an arm extending in the projectile direction having said stop surface on a forward portion thereof, said stop surface and said stop-engaging portion disengaging to permit further movement of said jaws only when said target unit is shot completely away from said jaws by percussive contact of the projectile therewith.

16. A target device adapted to display a plurality of target units sequentially in a projectile path, said device including: a wheel structure having a corresponding plurality of peripheral positions; means for mounting said wheel structure to turn about a main axis; a corresponding plurality of clamping units each providing relatively movable jaws adapted to grip frictionally a base portion of one of said target units; means for hinging said clamping units to said wheel structure respectively at said peripheral positions to turn individually about respective hinge axes; and stationary cam means disposed about said main axis of said wheel structure for turning each clamping unit about its hinge axis upon nearing a target-display position to swing its target rapidly into said projectile path from a retracted-target position to an extended-target position, said stationary cam means providing a cam surface surrounding and facing outwardly from said main axis engageable by a portion of each clamping unit as the latter approaches the extendedtarget position to effect such turning thereof.

17. A target device as defined in claim 16 in which said cam surface provides a crest portion near said targetdisplay position, and in which said hinge axes are disposed outwardly of said cam surface, each target unit and its corresponding target hanging from its respective hinge means below its respective hinge axis free of engagement between said cam surface and said engaging portion of such clamping unit during a portion of a revolution of said wheel structure, said engaging portion coming into contact with said crest portion of said cam surface only when said clamping unit approaches said target-display position, said contact turning such clamping unit to swing its target rapidly into said projectile ath. P 18. A target device as defined in claim 16 in which said cam-engaging portion of each clamping unit is a spring biasing said relatively movable jaws toward each other in frictional gripping relationship with said base portion of the corresponding target.

19. A target device including in combination: a sup porting structure providing a pivot axis out of a projectile path; a target unit having a long flat tongue portion terminating at one end in a base portion having opposite surfaces and terminating at its other end in a target disc; a clamping unit including a main jaw having a first target-gripping surface facing in the direction of movement of the projectile but disposed transverse thereto when in a target-display position, said clamping unit having an auxiliary jaw pivoted relative to said main jaw about an axis transverse to said direction and providing a second target-gripping surface opposed to and facing said first target-gripping surface, said clamping unit including spring means for resiliently urging said targetgripping surfaces toward each other respectively into a frictionally-gripping but releasable engagement with said opposite surfaces of said base portion, said main and auxiliary jaws being aligned in said direction in this order when in said target-display position whereby said main jaw constitutes a front jaw and said auxiliary jaw constitutes a rear jaw, said second target-gripping surface being curved to fall away from said first target-gripping surface in said direction and having a crest frictionally gripping its corresponding surface of said base portion; and means connected to said main jaw for moving both jaws and said target unit into said target-display position wherein said target disc is in said projectile path, said frictional gripping of said base portion by said targetgripping surfaces normally retaining said target unit against release fromsaid jaws, a direct percussive hit of said target disc by said projectile displacing said target unit from the target device by forcing said tongue to: ward said curved surface of said rear jaw to pivot the latter relative to the main jaw and release the frictional engagement of said opposite surfaces of said base portion.

20. A target display device for sequential display of targets in a projectile path, said device including: a plurality of target units each having a flat tongue portion terminating in a flat base portion having opposed faces; a wheel structure having a plurality of peripheral positions; means for mounting said wheel structure to turn about a main axis transverse to the projectile path; a corresponding plurality of clamping units each providing a pair of movable jaws with target-gripping surfaces facing each other in a plane transverse to said projectile path when the clamping unit is in a target-display position and respectively engaging said opposed faces of one of said target units, each clamping unit including spring means for urging such target-gripping surfaces resiliently into frictional engagement with said opposed faces, each target unit being held in the corresponding clamping unit exclusively by such frictional engagement, each target unit including a circular target disc carried by said flat tongue portion and movable into said projectile path upon turning of said wheel structure, each such disc being formed of a material offering substantial resistance to penetration by said projectile, each target unit including a target sheet having a central bulls eye overlying said circular target disc with peripheral portions of said target sheet overhanging such disc, a direct percussive hit of said target disc by said projectile overcoming said frictional engagement and dislodging the target unit from its corresponding clamping unit, said peripheral portions of said target sheet being readily penetrable by projectiles less accurately aimed than such dislodging projectile without effecting dislodgment of the target unit from its corresponding clamping unit; and means for moving said wheel structure to display a succeeding target unit in said projectile path upon such dislodgment of a preceding target unit.

21. A target device adapted to display a plurality of targets sequentially in a projectile path, said device including: a plurality of target units each having a tongue terminating in a base portion at one end and carrying a target at the other end; a supporting structure hav ing a horizontal axis transverse to but spaced below said projectile path; an upright wheel structure pivoted to turn about said horizontal axis; means for attaching said base portions of said target units to said wheel structure at respective spaced peripheral positions; means for biasing said wheel structure to turn about said axis in such direction that its upper portion and the then uppermost attached target unit move opposite to the direction of projectile movement along said path; and a stop member carried by said supporting structure having a stop surface facing in the direction of projectile movement and disposed in the path of movement of a portion of said uppermost target unit to engage and stop same with its target in said projectile path, said engagement stopping the movement of said wheel structure until percussive contact of said projectile with the target of the uppermost target unit breaks the engagement between said portion and said stop surface to permit a corresponding portion of a succeeding target unit to engage and be stopped by said stop surface.

22. A target device as defined in claim 21 in which said portion of each target unit is a portion of said tongue between said base portion and said target, and in which said means for attaching said base portions to said wheel structure includes pairs of jaws, each pair having target-gripping surfaces gripping opposite sides of a corresponding base portion exclusively by frictional forces, said breaking of said engagement resulting from pulling such base portion from its pair of jaws.

23. A target device as defined in claim 21 in which each target unit includes a target-supporting means connecting said target to said tongue, and in which said stop surface of said stop member is disposed in the path of movement of the target of said uppermost target unit.

24. A target device as defined in claim 23, in which said target-supporting means of each target unit is a clip, and in which said target of each target unit is a fragile target disc held by said clip and shatterable when hit by said projectile, such shattering breaking the engagement between said stop surface and the target disc which engagement previously held such target 'disc in said projectile path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hart Jan. 16, 1917 Stowell Apr. 6, 1937 Miller Jan. 16, 1951 Fedrowich Sept. 11, 1951 Peters Nov. 11, 1952 Bishop Nov. 18, 1952 Valkenburg Apr. 19, 1955 Adamson Nov. 1, 1955 Martin Nov. 8, 1955 Ruderman Feb. 28, 1956 

